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Visitor Management in Sustainable Tourism

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1.0. Introduction

There has been a tremendous growth in the global tourism industry over the last few

decades. This resulted in the enhancement of socio-economic progress of local areas due to

its establishment as a fast developing economic sector (Theobald, 2012). When compared

to other industries like automobiles and food exports, it is observed that the overall volume of

business generated was much higher in the tourism industry and is thereby considered as a

major source of income for different developing countries (Murphy and Price, 2012). It is to

be acknowledged that the growth in global tourism has lead to a diversification of the type of

tourism products available and has contributed to an increase in competition among various

destinations.

It was identified by the World Tourism Organisation that the international tourist arrivals

showed a growth of 4% in 2012 because of the raise in global tourist population to 1.03

billion. Since World tourism industry generated USD 1032 billion in export earnings in the

year 2011, it is known to be the major contributor to global economy (UNWTO, 2012).

Phillip et al., (2010); McGehee and Kim, (2004); Nickerson et al., (2001); Oram (1995);

Embacher (1994) indicate that along with the increased amount of importance given to

alternative forms of tourism (viz agricultural tourism, farm tourism and eco-tourism), planning

of tourism, sustainable tourism and the overall impact of tourism has also been studied in

extant literature since the 1990s. Harris et all., (2012) adds that the purpose of the

alternative forms of tourism was to encourage economic flow to various sections of the

population and also to limit the environmental impact of tourism. According to Miller et al.,

(2010), there is a humongous impact on the environment and the host community, even with

the positive ideology behind the development of world tourism.

. Outdoor tourism activities which draw a huge number of visitors to a given location is

mostly considered as alternative forms of tourism. Natural scenary, international

monuments, wildlife and others that actively encourage boating, walking, hiking, cycling and

other similar activities may be part of these locations. Since restoring the resources utilized

for the implementation of these activities is challenging, it must be preserved cautiously. In

addition, Hall (2010) mentioned that in order to enhance sustainable tourism and promote

protection of resources, the historical and natural locations need to implement certain

principles. The encouragement of visitor management is one such principle that supports

the enrichment of sustainable tourism. Murphy and Price (2012) indicate that educating

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visitors on the activities that can be carried out and the activities and areas that must be

avoided is very important. Studying the importance of visitor management as a „tool‟ in

appreciating sustainable tourism and giving evidence to the same by reviewing two different

case studies is the essence of this report.

1.1. Sustainable tourism:

Description of the term sustainability is essential to interpret the concept of sustainable

tourism. The definition of sustainability contained in the Brundtland Report is the one which

is studied in this report. In 1987, World Commission of Environmental Development defined

Sustainability as the measure which needs to be followed to meet the current needs and at

the same time ensure that the future generational needs are left untouched. A broader view

of this definition, describes sustainability in tourism approach as the management of

strategies in tourism consumption. The capacity of the host community (people and natural

resources) to cater to the needs of future visitors to the destination must not be disturbed by

these strategies implemented by the current trends in tourism consumption.

According to Hall (2010), the outlook of tourism industry is unique. Along with a few other

sectors, in the tourism sector, production always accompanies consumption. Tourism

requires the consumer (i.e., the visitor) to go the product (i.e., the destination) to accomplish

the activity. In this case, promotion of sustainability should always go hand in hand with

management of tourism destination. Promotion of sustainable tourism needs the pursuance

of certain principles. Promotion of management measures which enable limited impact on

the natural environment (Bramwell and Lane, 1993), promotion of conservation and

protection of natural resources (Ham and Weiler, 2012), promoting sustainable patterns of

product and consumption which involves the participation of the concerned stakeholders

(McDonald et al., 2009), creation of employment for local communities and thereby meeting

the needs of the local population (Archer et al., 2012) and ensuring that international laws

which promote environmental protection are upheld by the tourism industry (Miller et al.,

2010) are a few principles that leads to the promotion of sustainable tourism. A simple model

of sustainable tourism (Figure 1) given by Dredge (2008) encapsulates all of the above

views. Environmental factors, social factors and economic factors are the three main

functions studied in this model.

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Figure 1: Sustainable tourism model (Adopted from Dredge, 2008)

1.2. Importance of Visitor Management in Sustainable Tourism:

Leask (2010) indicates that cultivating civic responsibility among the tourists along with

theunderstanding of resource protection is the aim of visitor management. Ritchie et al.,

(2010) indicated that since the plan for resource and visitor management is often designed

and put to practice by two different teams, it leads to lack of cohesion and sustainable

tourism development.

An increased understanding and appreciation of the resources by the general public, assists

in an easy realisation of a tourism resource management tool which promotes long term use.

In addition, Murphy and Price (2012) indicate that the responsibility of people towards the

protection of natural resources must be notified along with the promotion of this tourism

management tool. In relation to this, the promotion of visitor management can be considered

the most crucial tool in sustainable tourism management. Leask (2010) adds that, this

Balancing the use of environmental resources and changes to the social/community values

Balancing the use of environmental resources and economic benefits of tourism

Balancing economic growth and development and the impacts of development on community/social values

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attribute concerns about promoting high quality experience by visitors and also reducing the

degradation of destination by making sure that the visitors adopt a suitable behaviour.

Candrea and Ispas (2009); Leask (2010); Lloyd and Mullany (1994), in their existing

literature, indicated the limited acceptance of the integration of visitor management in the

complete tourism development plan. Eagles et al., (2002) indicated that, a measure which

can be added to the tourism development plan at a later stage is visitor management.

Limited knowledge and importance given to tourism planners was the reason behind this

indication.In addition to this, Candreas and Ispas (2009) claimed that resource management

was preferred over long term planning of visitor services, by the tourism planners and

tourism destination managers. According to McArthur (1994), this view was due to lack of

realising the factors which link visitors and sustainable tourism

easy management of resources in comparison to tourists and

absence of proper support from management in developing visitor management

strategies and the absence of social background of destination managers who are

usually from a natural science background.

This brief study on the importance of visitor management is followed by two case studies on

the topic. The first case study is talks about a direct hands on approach to visitor

management which supports the education of visitors. The second case study talks about

the responsibility undertaken by the local population to promote sustainability.

1.3. Case study One: Eco Tourism in Vietnam

Con Dao Islands of Vietnam is the first case study reviewed in this report. A limited usage of

the measures of visitor management is realised in this case study. Tuan et al (2005)

indicates that Con Dao is an archipelago situated close to Ho Chi Minh City of Vietnam.

Marine biodiversity including species like cetaceans, marine turtles, giant clams etc., is the

speciality of the Con Dao Islands. Eco-tourism (Figure 3) is a well-known activity in these

islands. According to Mitsuguchi (2008), a National Park in 1993, was advocated to be the

natural reserves of Con Dao. The Con Dao tourism development plan concentrated on

improving tourism, since the early 2000s. SEA (2007) says that the aim of the Con Dao

tourism development plan was to each 1-1.5 million visitors by the year 2020. Tourism

management or resultant impact of tourist on natural resources were some of the aspects

ignored by this plan. A check on the visitor management strategy is considered to be crucial

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with the type of marine bio diversity present in the islands and with the islands‟ plan of

ambitiously increasing tourism visit.

Figure 2: Con Dao Islands (Source: Defense Mapping Agency, 2013)

.

According to MPAnet (2008), promoting the archipelago as an unique site for tourism within

Vietnam is the tourism plan for the islands at present. Eco-tourism has been the focus of the

Con Dao project. Marine turtle watching and coral reefs are the two main activities which

attract a huge number of tourists to Con Dao.

For the visitors to gain an opportunity to view and learn about the characteristics of the

nesting sea turtles and the hatchlings, they are frequently held back for longer periods in the

Con Dao islands. The growth of marine tourism has led to an increase in number of boats,

noise, lights and population. This growth has become detrimental to the turtles. Also, an

increase in the number of “false nests” by the turtles is due to the camera flashes and petting

of the turtles. The locals, selling souvenirs made of turtle shells to the visitors and presenting

the visitors information on the nesting spots of turtles on the brochures are some of the other

activities which impact marine tourism. Non-monitoring of some of these spots has led to the

visitors causing trouble to the turtles. De Vantier (2002) indicates that 15 sites in and around

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the Con Dao islands, which are now well-known locations for diving and snorkelling

activities, hold protected coral species. At present, a single ranger officer controls all the

activities in this area.

ITMEM (2006) indicates that, as this approach leads to an imbalance in the eco system, this

can be treated as “green washing.” Sustainable tourism calls for limited interference by man

on nature. Enlightening the visitors about the benefits of marine conservation is considered

to be an important step to promote visitor management in this area. Furthermore, Can Dao

must take steps to keep the visitors informed of the monitoring and relocation of marine

turtles. On the whole, better visitor management as well as improved sustainability is a by-

product of direct involvement of tourists in coral reef preservation and marine turtle

relocation and monitoring.

It is suggested that Park managers in Con Duo base their categorisation of the different

tourist activities on Cleverdone‟s (1999) categorisation of visitors on the level of

environmental interest (Figure 4). This assists the park managers to arrive at suitable tourist

education programs.

Figure 3: Categorisation of visitors based on interest in the environment (Cleverdone 1999)

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1.4. Case study Two: Indigenous Tourism in Northern Australia

The mining town of Weipa and the Napranum Aboriginal community located in Northern

Australia (Figure 5) is the second case study stated in the report. Natural beauty and an in

depth exploration of the indigenous culture is considered to be the main attraction of this

region.

Special eco-tourist Eco

Aware tourist

Users

Loungers

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Figure 4: Map showing location of Weipa and the Napranum Aboriginal community (Source Comalco Ltd

(2005))

Fuller et al (2003) indicates that efforts undertaken towards improving visitor management is

negligible, regardless of the efforts put forth in promoting sustainable tourism management

among the indigenous population. Though the number of indigenous people surpasses the

non indigenous people in this region, the non indigenous population largely control the

tourism sector. Culture camps which educate the visitors about the local arts and gallery

which possesses artwork contributed by the locals are some of the popular tourist attractions

of this region. According to Bennet (2004), big corporations show negligence towards the

local artists and their artwork by buying their products at a very low margin. Furthermore, it is

observed that hunting, which is a popular tourist activity, is neglected and needs better

management. There is a strong belief amongst the aborigines of the land that killing must be

supported only for food and not for recreational purposes. They were strictly against hunting

as a sport. In addition to this, Mulloin et al., (2001) claims that uncontrollable hunting

activities are recognised in this area, despite the strong belief of the aborigines. The

consequence of these activities is the lack of involvement of the indigenous population.

It is told that the indigenous population is strongly involved in tourism and visitor

management. This is done to boost tourism management in the area. According to

Crawshaw (2005), the indigenous people teach the local arts and crafts to the visitors and

they also sell their products directly to the visitors. This leads to an improvement in the local

economy. Strict enforcement of these activities is the responsibility of the destination

managers. Furthermore, indigenous population in these areas can also teach their hunting

style to the visitors. Satisfaction of the sentiments of the local people and preservation of the

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local wildlife are an outcome of this interaction between the visitors and the indigenous

people. Monitoring of visitor flow in these areas can also ensure sustainability. A brief

summary of the optimal parameters of tourist motivation can be obtained by examining the

visitor segmentation and the visitor flow to the area. This snapshot can be used for

promoting sustainable tourism.

1.5. Conclusion:

Negligible impact of tourists on the tourist areas, to ensure its protection is one of the

greatest challenges for sustainable tourism. It is also important to promote leisure activities

to satisfy the recreational needs of the visitors. Including visitor management as a part of the

tourism management plan is by far the best method to promote such measures of

sustainable tourism. Sustainable tourism called for the involvement of destination managers,

national park managers as well as local and central governments to spread awareness

about the most ideal behaviour for reducing the impact of visitors on the natural resource.

Visitor education, modification of visitor expectation and attitude, rehabilitation of the

resource, greater involvement of local people in the process of tourism development and

regulation of visitor flow are a few efforts initiated to promote visitor management. Hence,

adopting a long term perspective and carefully monitoring the degree of interaction between

the visitors and the environment lead to managing tourism in a sustainable manner.

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References (Sample):

Airey, T. (2007). Can a marine code of conduct enhance the visitor experience? [Online], Available

at, <http://www.icran.org/pdf/MarineRecreationGuideENG.pdf> (Accessed on 3 May, 2013).

Archer, B., Cooper, C., &Ruhanen, L. (2012), 'The positive and negative impacts of tourism,' Global

tourism, 79.

Bennet, J. (2004). ‘Indigenous Entrepreneurship, Social Capital and Tourism Enterprise

Development: Lessons from Cape York’, PhD Thesis, La Trobe University, Melbourne.

Bramwell, B., & Lane, B. (1993), 'Sustainable tourism: An evolving global approach', Journal of

Sustainable Tourism, vol1 no 1, pg 1-5.

Candrea, A. N., &Ispas, A. (2009). 'Visitor management, a tool for sustainable tourism development

in protected areas', Bulletin of the Transilvania University of Braşov• Vol, 2, No 51.

Cleverdon, R. (1999). 'Lecture Notes. Centre for Leisure and Tourism Studies, University of North

London'. In Holden, A. Environment and tourism. 2000. Routledge Introduction to Environment

Series. pp.209

Crawshaw, I. (2005). Aboriginal and Indigenous Australia, An Owner's Manual: A Guide to

Australia's New Aboriginal and Indigenous Owned and Operated Tourism, Cactus Media Publishing

P/L, Sydney.

Defense Mapping Agency (2013), [Online], Available

at,http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/jog/vietnam/nc-4811_geo.pdf (Accessed on 3 May, 2013).

DeVantier, L. 2002. Reef-building corals and coral communities of Con Dao National Park, Ba Ria-

Vung Tau, Vietnam. Rapid Ecological Assessment of Biodiversity, For WWF Indochina Programme.